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| TV,
Richard Young,
02:00:00,
01 October 2001 |
Rating: F4
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“Banzai”. A word that means “ten thousand years” and which was often used in reference to the Emperor of Japan (“May he live for 10,000 years”) is now the name of the latest spoof TV game show from Channel Four’s digital sister, E4. I doubt if it will be on television for quite that long, but this truly bonkers collection of surreal quizzes, pranks and schoolyard humour is mildly entertaining if your brain is in desperate need a half-hour holiday.
This jamboree of Japanese style japes is hosted by a man famous for regularly attacking Peter Sellers, the perennially entertaining Burt Kwouk. Heard in voice over only, he introduces one bizarre game after another, encouraging us, the viewer, to “Place your bets” while animated Japanese lettering and graphics bounce around the screen like so much neon candy floss. Games range from guessing the weight of “Peter Beal from Eastenders” meat and two veg to working out how many helium balloons one would need to lift a chicken. Some of the more cynical laughs are provided at the expense of the regular guest stars, who don’t seem to mind the constant ribbing regarding their apparent c-list status. In the case of “Peter Beal” for example, Burt reminds us that “He famous for not much else – apart from being father to Ian Beal, of course”.
A regular slot on the show is dedicated to a bizarre character called “Shakey-Hand Man” who looks like a well-dressed Japanese businessman. While posing as a TV interviewer at celebrity functions, he proceeds to enthusiastically shake the hand of his victim. Again, we are asked to bet on the length of time he can shake before they either become so embarrassed they let go, smile frozen on their terrified face, or a burly looking bouncer steps in.
Banzai may not have the subtlety normally present in a typical Channel Four Friday night comedy show, but possesses a strange kind of sincerity in its presentation of the pointless. Most of the fun comes from Burt Kwouk’s hammy “Confucius say” style monologue. I challenge anybody to watch and not giggle like a pre-teen. And remember, “If you get answer wrong, then you rubbish”.
Fridays 11:05 pm (C4)
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